Hold on tight! Teenage fan finally gets his towel
WHEN a young fan was thrown a towel by his hero only to have it snatched from him by a middle-aged man in front, he was shocked – as were tennis fans around the world.
But Peter Woodville, 14, has since met US player Jack Sock, who recognised him when he returned to Wimbledon and gave him another one. Peter, from Philadelphia, asked Sock for his towel as a souvenir after his match on Tuesday, but when he threw it into the crowd the man snatched it.
Peter said: ‘I grabbed it and the guy tugged it away. I tugged it back a bit and he wasn’t letting go. I just let go eventually because I thought I’m not strong enough to get it from him.
‘I was disappointed because I really wanted it. I told my mum: “I’m shocked that guy would do that to a kid”.’
A video of their tug-of-war went viral and Sock promised to give the boy another towel if he could be tracked down.
Peter went back to Wimbledon on Friday with his mother Faeze, 55, and said Sock recognised him when he went up to get an autograph.
The teen said: ‘He opened up his bag and tossed me his towel. He said: “I’m so sorry this happened, this stinks. Really nice to meet you. I’m sorry buddy”. I enjoyed talking to him.’
‘I’m sorry this happened buddy’